LITERARY DEVICES | Learn about literary devices in English | Learn with examples | Figure of speech

A simile compares two different things using 'like' or 'as'. It enhances descriptions and helps create mental images. For example, 'Jim is as tall as a giraffe' emphasizes his height. Like metaphors, similes are figures of speech and are not meant to be interpreted literally.

A metaphor compares two different things without using 'like' or 'as', stating that something 'is' something else. It makes sentences more interesting and creates vivid imagery, like 'Jim is a giraffe' to describe someone very tall. Metaphors are figures of speech and should not be taken literally.

An idiom is a phrase or group of words whose meaning cannot be understood from the literal meaning of its individual words. Idioms are common in spoken English and convey a different meaning, like 'break a leg' meaning good luck. Idioms are figures of speech and should not be interpreted literally.

Alliteration is the repetition of the same initial letter or sound at the beginning of closely connected words. It makes writing more engaging, creates rhythm, and sets the mood, often used in poems. An example is 'the sly snake slithers slowly in the sand'.

Hyperbole is an exaggerated statement used to create emphasis or humor, not meant to be taken literally. It draws the reader's attention and makes writing more interesting, for example, 'my suitcase weighs a ton' to express extreme heaviness. Hyperbole is a figure of speech.

Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds within nearby words, helping to create rhythm and flow, especially in poetry. It makes writing more pleasant to read. An example is 'the rain in Spain falls mainly on the plane', repeating the long 'a' sound.

An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines two contradictory words or phrases, creating a surprising or thought-provoking effect. It adds playfulness and makes the reader pay attention, such as 'pretty ugly' or 'seriously funny'.

A pun is a humorous play on words, using a word that has multiple meanings or words that sound alike but have different meanings. Puns are common in both spoken and written English to create a humorous effect. An example is 'A boiled egg for breakfast is hard to beat' where 'beat' has double meaning related to eggs and difficulty.

Personification assigns human qualities, emotions, or movements to inanimate objects or abstract ideas. This technique makes descriptions more vivid and interesting, such as 'the tree is dancing in the wind'. It is a figure of speech and should not be taken literally.

Onomatopoeia involves words that imitate the sound they describe, making writing more engaging and allowing the reader to 'hear' the sounds. Examples include 'splash' or 'roared'.